Lewis and Clark State Office Building

Formerly Named Green Office Building

Inner Resources Article
July/August, 2001
"Green" Building Will Usher
In
Site Redevelopment

The selection of a building site has moved the department
another step closer to its new "green" building. The location
was chosen following an exhaustive 12-month process during which a
total of 17 sites were rated using criteria developed by the department's
Pollution Prevention (P2) Workgroup and finalized through a charette
process.

Guiding principles based upon using sustainable design
techniques were used in choosing the location. These principles were
formulated using employees' expertise and the U. S. Green Building
Council standards. They can be found on the department's Intranet
site.

General Services Program Director Dan Walker said there
were 12 potential sites originally identified. However, most of the
sites were deemed inappropriate because the location was on prime
farmland or within a floodplain, contributed to urban sprawl, or the
size of the acreage was determined too small to house a 120,000-square-foot
building. Five additional sites were added to the list and from the
total list of 17 sites, five were chosen to further evaluate using
the P2 criteria.

A state-owned site, adjacent to the present Jefferson
City Correctional Center (JCCC) and on the same road as the department's
vehicle lot and state surplus property, was rated as the most suitable.
The land is located on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The
building will be the first built as part of the JCCC redevelopment
project and adjacent acreage will provide space for future expansion
of state facilities. The building will serve as a link between the
JCCC redevelopment and the wooded tract to the east of the building
site, which is planned for recreational opportunities.

The site also allows the department to demonstrate environmentally
friendly landscape practices using native trees, plants and grass.
The architectural design also will foster reuse of rain and runoff
to water plants, wash state vehicles and assist in janitorial tasks.

Site development will minimize vehicle traffic and foster
the use of carpools, public transportation, bicycles, walking and
shuttle buses. The building will include shower facilities for those
riding their bicycles or walking to work. A parking garage is planned
for the entire JCCC redevelopment site near the green building. However,
that structure will follow construction of the building requiring
the department to work toward some temporary alternative parking strategies.
Among them will be prime commuter parking and shuttle service from
several potential locations to the building.

Streets leading into and surrounding the building, as
well as throughout the JCCC redevelopment site will be improved. These
infrastructure changes are needed to provide local residents, building
occupants and redevelopment activities ease of access as well as to
protect existing neighborhoods. City and state planners have begun
work to develop this transportation network surrounding the JCCC redevelopment
site and local neighborhoods.

The site has been surveyed and an environmental study
completed. From the results of the assessment, a remedial investigation
feasibility study may follow. If that investigation determines that
the area is a brownfield, it could be used as a model to demonstrate
the possible uses of brownfields.